Town News Briefing

OLD SAYBROOK -- A hearing on the proposed $30.3 million budget for the coming fiscal year will be today at 7 p.m. in the middle school.

The finance board will air both the municipal and school budgets.

The schools' portion is $17.1 million, which shows a 5.9 percent increase over the current budget. The town's portion is $13.2 million, a 7 percent increase.

In both cases, the increases are due largely to rising health insurance costs.

If the budget stands and revenue and tax collection predictions hold, the tax rate would go from 13.8 mills to 14.41 mills. This means property owners with an appraisal of $291,200 would pay $124 more annually in taxes; property owners with a $450,000 appraisal, $192 more; for a $1.2 million appraisal, $512 more a year.

There will be a second hearing on the budget before it goes to referendum in May.

MIDDLETOWN

Six Women Arrested

After Disturbance

MIDDLETOWN -- Six city women arrested after a birthday party early Saturday at Traverse Square are to be arraigned in Superior Court next Tuesday.

Police received complaints of a disturbance at Traverse Square at about 1:15 a.m. Saturday. When they arrived at the scene, police said, they heard three gunshots and later found three brass shell casings. But they didn't find the shooter.

Additional officers were called to clear a large group of people outside the development's community center. Eventually, police apprehended the six women, who apparently had rekindled an argument they had several weeks earlier in West Hartford, police said.

Just after the fight, police said, Vanessa Crump, 17, of 156 Frisbee St., called Cole M. McDaniel, 21, of 19 Inverness Lane, on her cellphone and left a threatening message.

Crump is charged with second-degree harassment and breach of peace, while McDaniel and four others were charged with breach of peace. The others charged are Loni P. Hubert, 18, and Mahogany J. Hubert, 22, both of 8 Stirling Court; Vonda Allen, 18, of 470 E. Main St.; and Danielle I. Aletta, 17, of 42 Evergreen Ave.

AREAWIDE

Director No Longer

With Area Agency

Essie Spencer, longtime director of Haddam-Killingworth Youth and Family Services, is no longer employed by the agency, according to a Haddam town official.

First Selectman Tony Bondi said he received a phone call from agency director Ray Galloway last week, informing him that Spencer is no longer an agency employee.

Spencer had been placed on administrative leave by agency officials, who refused to disclose why she was being disciplined.

Spencer and Galloway could not be reached for comment Monday.

Currently, Haddam appropriates $37,000 to the agency; Killingworth makes a similar financial contribution.

Monday, Bondi said he was not told whether Spencer was fired or quit under a negotiated deal with the agency. He said the agency has grown in scope over the years and agency directors ``felt it was time for a change.''

He said he didn't know if a search has begun for Spencer's successor.

``I have no idea where they are in the process,'' he said.

Alleged problems with Spencer's administrative and personnel skills led to the decision to place her on administrative leave, sources said.

EAST HAMPTON

Bottle Drive Saturday

EAST HAMPTON -- Boy Scout Troop 57 is having a bottle drive Saturdayfrom 9 a.m. to noon at the Fleet Bank parking lot.

Bottles should be rinsed out. Non-carbonated water and juice bottles are not redeemable.

To arrange for pickup or for more information, call 860-267-2962.

SOUTHINGTON

Man Arraigned

After Domestic Dispute

SOUTHINGTON -- A New Britain man was arraigned Monday in Superior Court in Bristol after being arrested for throwing coffee in his daughter's face and forcefully removing her from his vehicle.

Anthony Sidoti, 31, of 19 Marwood Drive, turned himself in to Southington police Saturday after learning that there was a warrant for his arrest stemming from an incident on March 5.

Police said Sidoti was involved in a domestic dispute with his juvenile daughter, throwing coffee in her face and pulling her forcefully out his vehicle.

Neighbors noticed the incident and intervened, police said. Sidoti's daughter wasn't injured. Sidoti was charged with risk of injury to a minor and breach of peace. He was arraigned Monday and his case continued to Friday.

NEW BRITAIN

CCSU To Expand

Anti-DUI Efforts

NEW BRITAIN -- In a continuing effort to deter motorists from driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, Central Connecticut State University's police department will use a $41,570 grant to expand patrols and other enforcement efforts, officials announced Monday.

The grant was awarded to CCSU by the state Department of Transportation under its expanded DUI Enforcement Grant program.